Court releases fan who hugged NZ player

Security officials detain intruder with extra ticket and poster of his leader

RAWALPINDI:

A local court on Tuesday released a young spectator from police custody after he entered the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium's pitch while crossing security barricades during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Bangladesh and New Zealand and 'hugged' and 'congratulated' cricketer Tom Latham. The suspect was held at the ground afterwards.

Civil Judge Imran Qureshi, during a hearing, ordered the release of Abdul Qayyum. The investigating officer argued that the young man had violated the law by breaching the security barrier and should be sent on judicial remand to Adiala Jail.

However, the court dismissed this request, stating that the section applied in the case was bailable. The judge ordered Abdul Qayyum's release on furnishing a surety bond of Rs50,000 and postponed the hearing until March 11, directing the police to submit the charge sheet.

The accused defended himself, stating that he was not a criminal and had not violated any law, explaining that such gestures of congratulating players are common at sports grounds worldwide and that he went to praise the player for good performance.

Earlier, New Town police registered a case against the spectator on Monday.

New Zealand were batting on Monday when the spectator, dressed in shalwar kameez and wearing a p-cap, suddenly jumped into the field from the Yasir Arafat Enclosure.

Running without being stopped by any security personnel, he managed to reach the pitch and embraced New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra before quickly running back towards the boundary, where two security officials apprehended him.

Upon questioning in the side room, the individual was found to have an ID card in the name of Abdul Qayyum, with a registered address in Fateh Jang, Attock. He also had a Rs1,000 ticket for the Meera Bakhsh Enclosure and a poster of a leader from a religious and political party.

The spectator had been carrying the poster while running around the stadium. Security officials handed him over to the Rawalpindi Police.

New Town Police registered a case under sections 186 and 447 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PC) against the spectator on behalf of the state.